Laura,
I can sympathise with your situation as I have faced the same problem in the last two years. I have been applying (unsuccessfully) to summer work experience placements and internships that firms and the public sector offer and I have now finished my degree having got little or no real work experience.
That said, you are doing all the right things. I presume you have also been applying to the firms advertised placements, not merely applying speculatively? Many firms have applications on their website, the larger firms closing dates are often as early as September or October for a placement the following summer so keep an eye out and make sure you don’t miss those deadlines!
I sent out 99 CVs and personalised cover letters to firms in mid June this year. I received only two positive responses for unpaid work experience. One was from a firm in Orkney (I live in Glasgow!) and the other was from a firm in Dumfries. As I am willing to travel and work unpaid, I have accepted these offers, but it just shows you how flexible you have to be if you really want the experience.
My advice is, don’t give up. Apply to firms outside your local vicinity (if possible) and from my experience, the more remote the area is, the more positive the response can be. Act early, (which you’re doing anyway) as I am fairly sure that had I sent out my CVs before June I might have had more offers. Don’t be put off by negative responses, you will get there if you try hard enough. Many firms specify that they don’t take on work experience students until their final or penultimate year, so that might be why you have been unsuccessful so far.
One of my friends landed continuous unpaid work experience one day a week by making an appointment with a solicitor in her area, having researched him and the cases that he had been involved in and just sold herself to him. That takes balls and not everyone would feel comfortable with doing that, but if you think you can do it, give it a go!
The only other thing I can suggest is getting involved in ALL of the University extra curricular activities relating to law and ones outside of uni too. That means joining the law society and mooting clubs, applying for a position within the society (you don’t need to be in your final year - it’s just most applicants will be final year students) and think about voluntary work. I recommend volunteering with the Witness Service one day a week which will be at your nearest court. Another relevant organisation is Citizens Advice, who also take on volunteers one day a week.
Put all of that on your CV including your law grades and the areas of law that you are interested in and you will get something eventually. Just remember, it’s no reflection on you personally, or your skills; the competition is just so tough at the moment with the limited amount of traineeships and opportunities that are around. The market will pick up again, unfortunately we all need to be patient and persevere.
Hope that helps a little.
Good luck!
Regards,
Laura
